Maître De Wachter
Master of Laws, graduated with distinction and specialised in criminal law. Maître De Wachter stands firmly by your side at every stage of your traffic case.
Summoned to the police court?
We take the wheel.
Our traffic lawyers in Brussels handle police court (tribunal de police) cases every day. We defend you anywhere in Belgium.
- Free check of your legal expenses insurance
- Traffic law and police court only
Legal expenses insurance
Do you have legal expenses insurance? Then your insurer pays your lawyer.
Many drivers do not know it, but their car insurance includes legal expenses cover (protection juridique), or they have a separate legal expenses policy. If you are summoned to the police court, that insurance pays the costs and fees of your lawyer.
And you choose that lawyer yourself. As soon as there are court proceedings, Belgian law gives you the free choice of lawyer (libre choix de l’avocat), even if your insurer or broker suggests someone else.
9 in 10
drivers have legal expenses insurance
Send us a photo of your summons and, if you have it to hand, your insurance policy.
We check for free whether you are covered and contact your insurer ourselves.
If you are covered, we settle our fees directly with your insurer.
No legal expenses insurance? We agree clear fees with you in advance.
Offences
What we defend you for before the police court.
Speeding offence
Caught by a speed camera? We check the measurement and procedure.
Drink driving
Positive breath or blood test? We limit the impact on your licence.
Drug driving
Positive saliva test? We check every step of the procedure.
Traffic accident
Accident with damage or injuries? We defend you and your compensation.
Driving ban and licence withdrawal
Licence withdrawn or driving ban? We help you drive again sooner.
Hit and run
Drove off after an accident? We build your defence.
Other offences
Red light, phone, no licence or no insurance? We can help.
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Received a summons?
Send a photo via WhatsApp. We review your case for free.
Your lawyers
Two lawyers, one field: the police court. We read your entire criminal file, check every step of the procedure and tell you honestly what to expect. You are kept informed, from the first photo of your summons to the judgment.
Maître Florence Culot
Graduated cum laude and specialised in criminal law. Maître Culot builds your defence before the police court thoroughly and carefully.
- we check whether your legal expenses insurance pays for your lawyer
- Free
- we plead before every police court
- All of Belgium
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer for the police court?
It is not compulsory, but it is strongly recommended. Your lawyer knows the case law, checks whether the procedure was followed correctly and argues for a lower fine or a shorter driving ban. In many cases your lawyer can also represent you, so you do not have to attend the hearing yourself.
What should I do if I have received a summons?
Do not put it aside. Note the date and time of the hearing and send us a photo of the summons (citation) via WhatsApp straight away. There are often only a few weeks between the summons and the hearing, and that time is needed to request the criminal file, study it and prepare your defence.
What happens if I do not go to the hearing?
The police judge can then convict you by default, without hearing your side of the story. You can still challenge such a judgment (opposition), but only within a short deadline. It is better to attend or to be represented by a lawyer.
Can I lose my driving licence?
Yes. The police judge can impose a driving ban (déchéance du droit de conduire), and for some offences it is even compulsory. A lawyer can argue for a shorter ban, for a ban that only applies at weekends in certain cases, or for an alternative such as an alcohol interlock.
How much does a lawyer for the police court cost?
If you have legal expenses insurance, your insurer usually pays the costs and fees of your lawyer. We check for free whether that applies to you. Without legal expenses insurance, we agree clear fees with you in advance.
Does my insurance pay for my lawyer at the police court?
For about 9 in 10 drivers it does: they have legal expenses cover in their car insurance or a separate legal expenses policy. Some policies exclude certain offences or set conditions. That is why we check your policy for free.
Can I choose my own lawyer if my insurance pays?
Yes. As soon as there are court proceedings, you have the free choice of lawyer. Your insurer can suggest someone, but cannot force you.
How do I know whether I have legal expenses insurance?
Look for "legal expenses" or "protection juridique" in the special conditions of your car insurance, or simply send us a photo of your policy. We will find out for you.
Can I simply send my summons via WhatsApp?
Yes. Take a clear photo of every page of the summons and send it to us with the WhatsApp button on this page. If you have your insurance policy to hand, send it too. We review your case and get back to you.
Do you plead before every police court in Belgium?
Yes. We assist clients before every police court in the country. You do not need to come to our office first: everything can be handled via WhatsApp, phone and email.
Contact us
Choose whatever is easiest for you. On working days you get an answer within 24 hours.
Send a photo via WhatsApp (opens in a new window)
A photo of your summons is enough.
- Phone
- 02 599 01 06
- Office (by appointment)
- Avenue Louise 363, 1050 BruxellesDirections in Google Maps
Prefer to write? Use the form.